Walter C. "Charlie" Neilson, 71, of 424 Water Street Ext., Johnsonburg, formerly of Horner Road, Wilcox, died Saturday morning, Nov. 27, 2010, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following an illness of several days.
He was born Feb. 22, 1939, in Johnsonburg, son of the late Walter and Mary Heindl Neilson.
In 1981, he married Mary Detsch, who preceded him in death on May 21, 1986.

Walter C. "Charlie" Neilson, 71, of 424 Water Street Ext., Johnsonburg, formerly of Horner Road, Wilcox, died Saturday morning, Nov. 27, 2010, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following an illness of several days.
He was born Feb. 22, 1939, in Johnsonburg, son of the late Walter and Mary Heindl Neilson.
In 1981, he married Mary Detsch, who preceded him in death on May 21, 1986.
Formerly of Wilcox, he attended Johnsonburg schools, resided in Johnsonburg for the past five years and was a member of Holy Rosary Church. He was a Vietnam veteran, having served overseas in the Army as an SP 4 with the Hospital Co., 1st Army where he received the National Defense Service Medal, a letter of commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, a Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He was a former member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was employed by GTE Sylvania for 30 years before retiring in 2001.
He is survived by two brothers, Robert V. "Bobby" Neilson and Rhonda Proulx of Coventry, R.I., and John "Jack" Neilson and wife Juanita of Johnsonburg; a sister-in-law, Virginia "Ginny" Neilson of Johnsonburg; several nieces and nephews; and by a close friend, Tara Button.
Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, James "Jiggs" Neilson.
A memorial service for Walter C. "Charlie" Neilson will be conducted at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home in Johnsonburg on Friday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Johnsonburg, officiating. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Ridgway.
There will be no visitation.
Friends and family are invited to attend the memorial service on Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home Friday morning at 9:30 a.m.